For the first time in four years, a major cycle race will take place in Berlin. However, the “Velocity” will be smaller than previously and actually planned. The organizer SCC has now informed the previously registered participants of this. Instead of 120 kilometers, the longer of the two routes will be only 90 kilometers long on July 3rd.

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According to reports, the Berlin authorities, police and traffic management center have pushed for a reduction. In previous years, there had been strong criticism from residents and motorists.

As the new organiser, Sport-Club Charlottenburg (SCC) had already dispensed with the “long” circuit of 120 or 160 kilometers through Brandenburg that used to be the norm. Instead, the 60-kilometer route should be driven through twice. In order to shorten the blocking times, however, they are now also refraining from doing so. The email to the participants states: “In talks with everyone involved, this step turned out to be unavoidable.”

As SCC spokesman Robert Fekl reported, this compromise had to be made because other sporting events and city festivals were taking place at the same time. In addition, rail replacement services must be taken into account by the BVG.

The SCC expects 5,000 to 7,000 participants – that is significantly fewer than the last “Velothon”. This race has been taking place in Berlin since 2008, it was canceled in 2019 due to license disputes and then because of Corona. Now the everyone’s race is known as “Velocity”.

The largest German amateur race, the “Cyclassics” in Hamburg, always takes place on the last weekend in August. However, motorists had also protested in Hamburg that the 180-kilometer route will no longer exist this year.